Improvement in tools for holding watch-hands



I-UNrrED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE \V. PITT, OF CUBA, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENTIN TOOLS FOR HOLDING WATCH-HANDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 157,293, dated December 1, 1874; application filed June 22, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. PITT, of Cuba, in the county of Allegany and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Tools for Holding Watch-Hands, of

which the following is a specification:

My invention consists in a pair of springnippers, provided with a thumb-lever by which they may be clamped shut, and having their ends notched and slitted in a peculiar manner to receive the hands. The object of the invention is to produce a single tool which will readily grasp and firmly hold watch-hands of all sizes and forms, and which will permit the hands, vwhile held thereby, to be readily removed from or applied to the watch or card, and also permit them to be operated upon by the watchmaker.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my tool, with a second-hand held therein. Fig. 2 is an edge view of the tool, with the thumb-lever or eccentric in section. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the arms or points from the inner side; and Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the two arms or points;

The body of the tool consists of two springarms, A, secured together at one end, but arranged to spring apart at the other, being the same as the ordinary spring-nippers used by watchmakers, except that they-are somewhat heavier and have their points broadened and flattened. Around the two arms A I apply a stirrup or band, B, between the arms of which I pivot an eccentric lever or cam, 0, having a thumb-piece, i, by which it is turned. The eccentric bears, as shown, on the back of one of the arms, and the parts are so arranged that upon depressing the thumb-piece the eccentric forces the two arms together. As shown in Fig. 2, the eccentric or cam is made with a flattened face, so that when turned down, it looks past the center and remains in position without being held, so that the tool may be manipulated with freedom and safety, and laid down without releasing the hand which it clasps. When, however, the eccentric is locked down, its arm or thumb-piece stands above the main arm or body A, so that it may be readily caught and thrown up by the thumb of the operator. So, too, when the eccentric is released, the pressure of the spring'arm causes the arm or thumb-piece i to stand outward in such a position that it may be readily caught and depressed by the operators thumb. The free ends of the arms A are made flat on the inside, and are each provided with two longitudinal slits, a, passing through from the inner to the outer side, close to the side or edge, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 4. Each arm A is also provided on the inner face, close to the end, with a slight transverse groove or depression, 1), extending crosswise of the slits, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Each arm is also cut away on the inside, at the points where the slits a and the groove b intersect each other, as shown at 0, Figs. 3 and 4.

In using the tool to hold second-hands, the body of the hand is inserted in the slits and the end or points clamped upon the barrel of the hand, as shown in Fig. 2 but in holding hour and minute hands the edges of the head bear in the recesses c, as shown in Fig. l.

The tool will hold hands of all sizes and forms firmly and without injury, and in such positions that they can be readily operated upon, as may be necessary in fitting them. It is also very convenient for removing hands of all styles from or applying them to watches or the cards on which they are sold in' the market.

It is obvious that the precise form of the tool is not material, that the slits and notches may be varied in form, and that the band or stirrup B may be dispensed with and the cam or eccentric attached in any other suitable manner. The two slits are used merely to render the tool more convenient, and, if preferred, a single one may be used. The tool is also well adapted for holding various small parts and pieces other than the hands. It may, if desired, be provided with transverse notches or grooves e, on the inside of its arms, as shown, to retain screws, wire, &c., while fitting or finishing them, filing down their heads, cutting slots in them, 850.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The herein-described tool, consisting of the spring-arms A, having the cam G, with its lever or handle 1', applied thereto, substantially as described, whereby the arms will adgroove, 1), on the inside, and one or more 1onjust themselves to the various-sized Watchgitudinal slits, a, substantially as shown. hands, and the cam can be operated by a finger of the hand that holds the tool, as set GEORGE W. PITT. forth. Witnesses:

2. Atool for holding watch-hands, having J. M. MOKENNEY,

two arms, A, provided each with a transverse PHIL. T. DODGE. 

